<;P>;PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel microorganism and its mutant strain for the production of polysaccharides exhibiting an excellent skin whitening effect and having stability and high safety to the skin as well as a method for producing the polysaccharides by using the microorganism and its mutant strain. <;P>;SOLUTION: Disclosed are a novel microorganism belonging to Cobetia and deposited under Accession No. FERM P-21295 and its mutant strain. <;P>;COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT